Moscow State University

Moscow State University, officially M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, is Russia's oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning. Founded in 1755, it has evolved into a sprawling academic empire with 15 research institutes, 43 faculties, and over 300 departments, plus six branches across the country. Its main campus on the Sparrow Hills is crowned by the iconic Stalinist skyscraper, one of the tallest educational buildings in the world.

The university's influence reaches far beyond Russia. Its alumni include former leaders of the Soviet Union and other governments, and its faculty and graduates have amassed an impressive tally: 13 Nobel laureates, 6 Fields Medal winners, and 1 Turing Award winner as of 2019. That record reflects a culture of rigorous scholarship and cutting-edge research that draws students from across the globe.

MSU is also a cultural landmark, frequently appearing in Russian cinema and literature as a symbol of intellectual ambition and national pride. Its imposing architecture and storied halls have served as a backdrop for stories ranging from Cold War thrillers to contemporary dramas. [edit]

Moscow State University aims to advance fundamental and applied knowledge through education and research, preserving and developing Russian scientific and cultural traditions. It seeks to train highly qualified specialists, foster intellectual and moral growth in students, and contribute to the nation's scientific, technological, and social progress. [edit]

Moscow State University began on January 25, 1755, when Empress Elizabeth signed a decree establishing the Imperial Moscow University. The initiative came from Mikhail Lomonosov, a polymath who had lobbied for a university not controlled by the church or nobility, and Count Ivan Shuvalov, who became the first curator. Classes started with just three faculties: philosophy, law, and medicine.

Over the centuries, the university grew steadily. In the 19th century, it became a center of liberal thought, producing writers like Turgenev and Chekhov, and scientists like Lebedev and Zhukovsky. After the Bolshevik Revolution, it was renamed Moscow State University and became a flagship of Soviet higher education. In 1940, it was officially named after Lomonosov.

The move to the new campus on Sparrow Hills in 1953 marked a new era. The main building, designed by Lev Rudnev, was the tallest building in Europe at the time. Today, the university continues to expand, with modern research centers and international collaborations. [edit]